City Manager Leif Ahnell's proposed spending plan includes $37 million in property taxes going toward the city's $115 million general fund budget. The rest of the money would come from fees, utility taxes and savings.

Under the proposed budget, which the City Council must approve, residents would pay $3.55 per $1,000, of assessed value. That means the owner of a home assessed at $200,000 who is eligible for a $25,000 homestead exemption would pay $622.06 in taxes. Last year, that same homeowner paid $634.04.

Despite lower property taxes, residents will be paying more for some services. Ahnell projects an average of 2 percent more in fees, though that number will vary depending on the program and service. The budget proposal also includes a 3 percent inflationary increase in water and sewer rates for the budget year beginning Oct. 1.

The budget includes the addition of 16 firefighters, eight police officers, as well as six library workers -- including three librarians -- for the new library going up on Spanish River Boulevard. An office assistant for the City Clerk's office also would be added. Five new programs for police, fire-rescue and the municipal services and recreation departments also are included in the proposed budget.

Anhell said the city is able to add new workers while holding the line on the tax rate because of the skyrocketing property values and the city's annexation of Town Center mall and several surrounding neighborhoods.

"Property values increased by 15.79 percent," Ahnell said as he pointed to his budget proposal. "That is because of annexation. Without the annexation, the property values would only have increase 9.5 percent.

There's more revenue because of the annexation, but that also means there's increased expenses, he said.

Ahnell said the city will see its expenses increase 8 percent, or $7.2 million, next year. He attributed much of that to the new city workers and raises for others, including police and firefighters.

City Council members said they were pleased with Ahnell's budget proposal.

That's five consecutive years without the tax rate going up while still adding workers that benefit Boca Raton residents, he said.

Taxes are staying at the same level while the city is addressing its priorities, which includes public safety, said Councilman Bill Hager. He said he woudn't have favored giving up the additional workers to lower the tax rate.

"That's penny wise and pound foolish," Hager said.

Luis F. Perez can be reached at lfperez@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6641.